TY - CONF TI - Continuous improvement in project-based construction organizations C1 - Singapore, Singapore C3 - Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) SP - 1370 EP - 1381 PY - 2026 DO - 10.24928/2026/0319 AU - Martinez, Eder AU - Beyerle, Caroline AU - Pfister, Louis AU - Forcael, Eric AD - Head of Lean Division Civil Engineering, Implenia AG, Thurgauerstrasse 101A, Glattpark (Opfikon) 8152, Switzerland, eder.martinez@implenia.com, orcid.org/0000-0001-7918-9421 AD - Head of Lean Civil and Special Foundations Switzerland, Implenia AG, Thurgauerstrasse 101A, Glattpark (Opfikon) 8152, Switzerland, caroline.beyerle@implenia.com AD - Global Head Quality, Implenia AG, Thurgauerstrasse 101A, Glattpark (Opfikon) 8152, Switzerland, louis.pfister@implenia.com AD - Professor, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción 4081339, Chile; eric.forcael@uss.cl, orcid.org/0000-0002-3036-4329 ED - Hamzeh, Farook ED - Poshdar, Mani ED - Garcia-Lopez,, Nelly P. AB - Continuous Improvement (CI) remains difficult to institutionalize in project‑based construction organizations, where fragmented project environments and limited cross‑project learning restrict the scalability of locally successful initiatives. This study applies an Action Research approach to design, implement, and evaluate a structured CI process within a multinational construction services provider. The resulting framework combines a sequential yet flexible process, standardized problem‑solving methods based on PDCA and A3 thinking, digital support tools, and dedicated knowledge exchange structures. A 12‑month pilot in the organization demonstrated the ability of newly formed CI teams to systematically identify problems, test solutions through structured pilots, and document insights using a digital improvement‑portfolio application. Twenty‑three ideas for CI were identified, ten of which progressed to piloting or implementation, covering topics such as digitalization, standardization, safety, and resource efficiency. While the process successfully stimulated local CI activity and established the foundation for cross‑project learning, challenges remain in achieving consistent documentation, mobilizing teams for scaling activities, and strengthening organization‑wide learning routines. The findings provide practical and theoretical insights into how structured CI systems can be adapted to project‑based construction environments. KW - Lean construction KW - continuous improvement KW - Plan-Do-Check-Act KW - A3 thinking KW - knowledge management. PB - T2 - Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) DA - 2026/06/22 CY - Singapore, Singapore L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/2594/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/2594 N1 - Export Date: 19 June 2026 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER -